___________________________________________________________________
NYC Health + Hospitals Supervising
Electrician Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. What is the primary purpose of an overcurrent protective device?
A. Increase circuit voltage
B. Improve power factor
C. Protect conductors and equipment from excessive current
D. Reduce conductor resistance
Answer: Protect conductors and equipment from excessive current
Rationale: Overcurrent protective devices such as fuses and circuit breakers
open a circuit when current exceeds safe levels, helping prevent conductor
overheating, equipment damage, and fire.
2. What is the main function of the equipment grounding conductor?
A. Carry normal load current
B. Increase circuit impedance
C. Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
D. Supply power to lighting loads
Answer: Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
,Rationale: The equipment grounding conductor provides a safe path for fault
current so protective devices can operate promptly and disconnect the faulty
circuit.
3. In a three-phase system, what is the phase relationship between each
phase?
A. 60 degrees
B. 90 degrees
C. 120 degrees
D. 180 degrees
Answer: 120 degrees
Rationale: The three phase voltages in a balanced three-phase system are
electrically separated by 120 degrees.
4. Which instrument is normally used to measure electrical current without
opening the circuit?
A. Megohmmeter
B. Voltmeter
C. Clamp meter
D. Wattmeter
Answer: Clamp meter
Rationale: A clamp meter measures current by sensing the magnetic field
surrounding a conductor, allowing current measurements without disconnecting
the conductor.
5. What does a megohmmeter primarily measure?
A. Frequency
B. Power factor
C. Insulation resistance
D. Line voltage
,Answer: Insulation resistance
Rationale: A megohmmeter applies a test voltage and measures very high
resistance values to evaluate the condition of electrical insulation.
6. What is the primary responsibility of a supervising electrician?
A. Only purchase electrical materials
B. Only perform administrative work
C. Direct, coordinate, inspect, and oversee electrical work safely and properly
D. Operate hospital elevators
Answer: Direct, coordinate, inspect, and oversee electrical work safely and
properly
Rationale: Supervising electricians are responsible for ensuring electrical work is
performed safely, correctly, according to applicable requirements, and by
qualified personnel.
7. Before beginning electrical work in an energized hospital area, what should
be considered first?
A. Paint color
B. Tool brand
C. Electrical hazards, work procedures, and required safety controls
D. Equipment age only
Answer: Electrical hazards, work procedures, and required safety controls
Rationale: Electrical work requires hazard identification and appropriate
controls before work begins, especially in healthcare environments where
interruptions can affect patient care.
8. What is the purpose of lockout/tagout?
A. Increase electrical capacity
B. Improve lighting
, C. Prevent unexpected energization or release of hazardous energy
D. Reduce transformer losses
Answer: Prevent unexpected energization or release of hazardous energy
Rationale: Lockout/tagout procedures isolate hazardous energy and prevent
equipment from being unintentionally energized while work is being performed.
9. What should be verified before treating a circuit as de-energized?
A. The circuit breaker looks open
B. The panel is labeled
C. Absence of voltage using an appropriately rated test instrument
D. Another electrician says it is off
Answer: Absence of voltage using an appropriately rated test instrument
Rationale: Visual indications and verbal assurances are not sufficient. Proper
testing verifies that hazardous voltage is absent.
10.What is the purpose of a GFCI?
A. Increase motor speed
B. Prevent transformer overheating
C. Protect people from electric shock caused by ground-fault current
D. Increase conductor ampacity
Answer: Protect people from electric shock caused by ground-fault current
Rationale: A GFCI detects an imbalance between current leaving and returning
through the circuit and quickly interrupts power when the imbalance reaches its
trip threshold.
11.Which electrical characteristic is measured in ohms?
A. Voltage
B. Current
NYC Health + Hospitals Supervising
Electrician Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
___________________________________________________________________
1. What is the primary purpose of an overcurrent protective device?
A. Increase circuit voltage
B. Improve power factor
C. Protect conductors and equipment from excessive current
D. Reduce conductor resistance
Answer: Protect conductors and equipment from excessive current
Rationale: Overcurrent protective devices such as fuses and circuit breakers
open a circuit when current exceeds safe levels, helping prevent conductor
overheating, equipment damage, and fire.
2. What is the main function of the equipment grounding conductor?
A. Carry normal load current
B. Increase circuit impedance
C. Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
D. Supply power to lighting loads
Answer: Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
,Rationale: The equipment grounding conductor provides a safe path for fault
current so protective devices can operate promptly and disconnect the faulty
circuit.
3. In a three-phase system, what is the phase relationship between each
phase?
A. 60 degrees
B. 90 degrees
C. 120 degrees
D. 180 degrees
Answer: 120 degrees
Rationale: The three phase voltages in a balanced three-phase system are
electrically separated by 120 degrees.
4. Which instrument is normally used to measure electrical current without
opening the circuit?
A. Megohmmeter
B. Voltmeter
C. Clamp meter
D. Wattmeter
Answer: Clamp meter
Rationale: A clamp meter measures current by sensing the magnetic field
surrounding a conductor, allowing current measurements without disconnecting
the conductor.
5. What does a megohmmeter primarily measure?
A. Frequency
B. Power factor
C. Insulation resistance
D. Line voltage
,Answer: Insulation resistance
Rationale: A megohmmeter applies a test voltage and measures very high
resistance values to evaluate the condition of electrical insulation.
6. What is the primary responsibility of a supervising electrician?
A. Only purchase electrical materials
B. Only perform administrative work
C. Direct, coordinate, inspect, and oversee electrical work safely and properly
D. Operate hospital elevators
Answer: Direct, coordinate, inspect, and oversee electrical work safely and
properly
Rationale: Supervising electricians are responsible for ensuring electrical work is
performed safely, correctly, according to applicable requirements, and by
qualified personnel.
7. Before beginning electrical work in an energized hospital area, what should
be considered first?
A. Paint color
B. Tool brand
C. Electrical hazards, work procedures, and required safety controls
D. Equipment age only
Answer: Electrical hazards, work procedures, and required safety controls
Rationale: Electrical work requires hazard identification and appropriate
controls before work begins, especially in healthcare environments where
interruptions can affect patient care.
8. What is the purpose of lockout/tagout?
A. Increase electrical capacity
B. Improve lighting
, C. Prevent unexpected energization or release of hazardous energy
D. Reduce transformer losses
Answer: Prevent unexpected energization or release of hazardous energy
Rationale: Lockout/tagout procedures isolate hazardous energy and prevent
equipment from being unintentionally energized while work is being performed.
9. What should be verified before treating a circuit as de-energized?
A. The circuit breaker looks open
B. The panel is labeled
C. Absence of voltage using an appropriately rated test instrument
D. Another electrician says it is off
Answer: Absence of voltage using an appropriately rated test instrument
Rationale: Visual indications and verbal assurances are not sufficient. Proper
testing verifies that hazardous voltage is absent.
10.What is the purpose of a GFCI?
A. Increase motor speed
B. Prevent transformer overheating
C. Protect people from electric shock caused by ground-fault current
D. Increase conductor ampacity
Answer: Protect people from electric shock caused by ground-fault current
Rationale: A GFCI detects an imbalance between current leaving and returning
through the circuit and quickly interrupts power when the imbalance reaches its
trip threshold.
11.Which electrical characteristic is measured in ohms?
A. Voltage
B. Current
